vibration at 20 mph

My 1991 190E 2.6 recently stalled due to what appears is a faulty fuel pump relay (it was a very hot day and the car started right up the next day). I was towed to a service station and the next day picked it up after they were able to start the engine and run it for a while. Since then I notice a vibration when the car hits 20 mph. It does not matter which gear I have engaged ( I have tried first, second and third) and it goes away when the speed reaches about 25 mph but it seems to be getting worse. Could this be a wheel alignment problem which came about due to the towing or is it related to the relay?

Thanks in advance for your response.


Dan

[gemoore]

Doubt it would be alignment. Vibration would tend to show up at any speed if alignment were the problem. I'd check out the tires, first. Could be a balance problem. Is the vibration violent, or barely detectable?

Thanks for the response. The vibration is not severe but easily noticeable (my wife noticed it today). As I accelerate it feels like there is a lack of power when I cross 20 mph.

[gemoore]

Hmmm. Lack of acceleration raises a whole new set of possibilities, including fuel and ignition. Plugs and spark plug wires come to mind immediately. You might want to check them out. Fuel pump could be another possibility. You might want to check with the guy at the service station. Find out what he did to the car to get it going. That could provide a clue. Best of luck.

[slsmag]

If you're feeling this vibration through the floor/body and not the steering wheel then it's unlikely to be wheel balance. If the car is sluggish at slow speeds you might be feeling 'hesitation' as the engine tries to get enough air and fuel.

Check the easy things first: clean or replace your air filter and replace the fuel filter(s). (you'd be amazed at how many folks neglect to keep a clean air filter in older cars!)

Next, the car is 12 - 13 years old and is probably running on the original wire set. If you haven't done normal "tune-up" maintenance, now might be a good time to replace those fuel and spark related maintenance items. A good, new wire set will deliver a much stronger spark and resist missing due to humidity and moisture. And at least check the condition of the spark plugs. (If you don't know what the spark plug tips 'should' look like, there's a great series of photos in just about every Chilton book ever published).

With the regular maintenance done (which needs to be done anyway) you will rule out a lot of little things AND your car will be in much better shape for the next ten years of driving.

- michael

Thank you for the responses. I took the car to my mechanic and it turned out to be a driveshaft problem. The center support bearing and housing are virtually gone. A few more days and I may have done serious damage.

[slsmag]

Glad you found the problem - but so much for the "easy stuff"!!

- michael